A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dan Ulasi, has attributed the lingering crisis within the party to events that unfolded during its 2023 presidential convention.
Speaking on Arise Television, Ulasi said the controversy surrounding the convention at Eagle Square marked a turning point in internal discord within the party.
According to him, “the resultant effect of the anomaly of the convention we had in 2023 at Eagle Square, Wike would have emerged as the candidate of PDP.”
Ulasi specifically faulted the actions of former Sokoto State governor, Aminu Tambuwal, describing his decision at the convention as pivotal.
He said, “from what the then governor of Sokoto State did, after saying that he was running for the presidency, he came back again to address the convention that he was no more running and asked all Northern delegates to support Atiku Abubakar.”
Ulasi noted that the development altered the outcome of the contest and influenced the reaction of Nyesom Wike.
“That was when the crisis of PDP started. And that was how Wike went back to Port Harcourt, and he decided to do it in his own way,” he said.
The PDP chieftain maintained that opinions remain divided over the events at the convention.
Ulasi stated, “When you discuss whether somebody did this wrong or right, you will not tell him what to do. He has reached a stage in the political process of this country that he has an opinion. I have an opinion.”
He added, “What happened at Eagle Square was bad. And people look at it and interpret it in different directions.”